Dennis Duffy, gym and mathematics teacher for more than 20 years at SMA, was just as humbled at receiving the Alumni Impact Award as he was at the school assembly when he was taken by surprise at the acknowledgment.

Sister Mary Monica Markey was the SMA Humanitarian Award for embodying the SMA mission of servant leadership by making a significant positive impact on the community.

“I'm just very grateful,” Duffy, who said he loves teaching at the school, said.

He thanked parents for choosing to send their children to the school and for the privilege of being able to teach them all.

As nearly 300 people continued to arrive for the gala, Duffy said there were a lot of familiar faces showing up.

“It's nice to see everybody,” he said. “It's like extended family.”

That's the same warm description Foster gave of SMA and its alumni.

“People had real struggles back then,” she said, recalling the Great Depression and the era during which her late mother was part of the school. “There were a lot of quiet hands assisting people.”

Though her mother may not have been one to go looking for any recognition, being honored by her SMA family and friends was appropriate.

“They know how much she loved Dover and how much she loved school,” Foster said.

Sister Monica said she was truly overwhelmed by her recognition.

“I'm very happy and grateful to be here tonight,” she said.

She also said she was grateful for the good that Foster brought to the school.

Therese and her late husband Robert did that through the purchase of the property for the SMA preschool building.

“I feel that they're with us here tonight,” Sister Monica said.

After 51 years at SMA, she was happy to recognize a lot of familiar faces at the gala.

For 11 years, she had no fewer than 65 students in her classroom.

The silent auction featured prizes and business including Jewelry Creations, Downtown Dogs, Distinguished Dover Patrol, Six Flags and Red Sox tickets, to name a few.

Enjoying the company of former classmates and teachers, Gary Fagan, of Marblehead, Mass., said he remembered advancing through grade levels at SMA with Sister Monica.

“That was quite a unique experience,” he said, noting that she was someone who stood out at the school.

“You tend to remember your primary teachers,” he noted.

His wife, Suki, said she believes it was Sister Monica who was able to bring out personality from her students, much of which was done through musical events.

“She'd do these big productions,” she said.

Fran Kageleiry was delighted to see so many former classmates when she arrived to the gala.

“I think it's wonderful,” she said.

With such a large crowd turning out for the milestone event, she said it really goes to show the loyalty of everyone who attended the school.

“It's a great place to think back on,” she said.

Thinking back on her time teaching, her education there and her family's history at SMA, English teacher Helen Gitschier said one of her favorite memories was singing mass in Latin.

Both her parents and her grandparents attended the school and she felt honored to be part of this milestone.

“I fee so lucky to be teaching at the school at this time,” she said.

Earlier in the day, SMA held its first marathon through Dover, an event that parent volunteer Stephanie Bolduc said was an incredible event with hundreds of runners participating.

“We couldn't have been more pleased,” she said.

A black and white dress theme for the gala was inspired by an old black and white photograph of the school that Bolduc and principal Carrie Wood said reflected a more simple time in the community. When the picture was discovered, so, too, was the anniversary theme.

“This is our culminating event of the year,” Wood said, adding that the year had been a historical one for SMA.

Alumnus Eleanor Duffy remembered the simpler times at SMA as she had been one student in a graduating class of 12.

Some of the courses she recalled were shorthand, typing, business, and French.

Her junior year of high school was the last at SMA in 1940 before she and the rest of the dozen students moved to Dover High School.

“It was such a small school,” she said of SMA. “Things were very different.”

When she graduated, she said World War II had just begun.

And a few years after graduation, she and her husband Bernard were the 17th couple to be married at SMA in 1947.

Joined Saturday evening by their daughter Ellen Edwards, Duffy continued sharing memories of her alma mater.

Speaking with Foster, Edwards recalled the warmth of Therese.

“Her mother was a lovely lady. She smiled, she was gracious. No matter what age you were she always greeted you warmly,” she said.

It's that same attitude that the school continues with today.

“They're growing more than a mind, they're growing a heart,” Foster said.

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